Did they cancel the F-22 because they wanted the Air Force to buy some to help justify its cost?
Why was the F-22 cancelled? I’d say that additional procurement was cancelled. The AF isn’t retiring the ones it has on hand. Thus, the F-22 becomes a “boutique war plane.” A plane with tremendous advantage in its original, air dominance mission; but, merely average for other missions relative to much less expensive planes. The following article discusses some war games of F-22s versus German-flown Eurofighters (or, Typhoons). I notice that the Saudi are buying 72 Typhoons.